Posted on 02/23/2013 7:46:31 PM PST by marshmallow
Three priests and former priest report Cardinal Keith O'Brien to Vatican over claims stretching back 33 years
Three priests and a former priest in Scotland have reported the most senior Catholic clergyman in Britain, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, to the Vatican over allegations of inappropriate behaviour stretching back 30 years.
The four, from the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, have complained to nuncio Antonio Mennini, the Vatican's ambassador to Britain, and demanded O'Brien's immediate resignation. A spokesman for the cardinal said that the claims were contested.
O'Brien, who is due to retire next month, has been an outspoken opponent of gay rights, condemning homosexuality as immoral, opposing gay adoption, and most recently arguing that same-sex marriages would be "harmful to the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of those involved". Last year he was named "bigot of the year" by the gay rights charity Stonewall.
One of the complainants, it is understood, alleges that the cardinal developed an inappropriate relationship with him, resulting in a need for long-term psychological counselling.
The four submitted statements containing their claims to the nuncio's office the week before Pope Benedict's resignation on 11 February. They fear that, if O'Brien travels to the forthcoming papal conclave to elect a new pope, the church will not fully address their complaints.
"It tends to cover up and protect the system at all costs," said one of the complainants. "The church is beautiful, but it has a dark side and that has to do with accountability. If the system is to be improved, maybe it needs to be dismantled a bit."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
How about adding they are allowed to marry in the eastern rite but cannot be Bishops or Metropolitans or hold positions of leadership.
to say that marriage, which is a holy estate, is the antidote to sexual depravity is nonsense
,allegations of inappropriate behaviour stretching back 30 years.
Why is it that the accusers are coming out of the woodwork at this particular time? the time, being when O Brien is being vocal in his anti gay opinions.
Isn’t this why they are complaining?
**O’Brien, who is due to retire next month, has been an outspoken opponent of gay rights, condemning homosexuality as immoral, opposing gay adoption, and most recently arguing that same-sex marriages would be “harmful to the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of those involved”. Last year he was named “bigot of the year” by the gay rights charity Stonewall.**
“There was a time when priests got married, and of course we know at the present time in some branches of the church - in some branches of the Catholic church - priests can get married, so that is obviously not of divine of origin and it could get discussed again.”
When have priests ever been able to get married? And there are some branches of the Catholic Church were they can get married today?
I thought some traditions of the Church allowed married men to become priests, not that priests can get married.
Freegards
As Inspector Cleuceau would say before he hit the bimp in the road “Ah but ov course”. We had an episode here with Milawukee’s Weakland . Why do you think publications like the Scotsman or wire services like the AP are going after these guys ?
And I should add GOPES not making an issue out of Democrats at their national convention removeing God from their preamble.
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